Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Function of follicular helper 17 T cells in driving B cells for anti-DNA autoantibody production in patients with SLE
Authors' conclusion
cTFH17 cells were significantly expanded and activated in subjects with active SLE, showing a positive correlation with clinical activity. Functionally, cTFH17-B cell interactions enhanced plasma cell generation and autoantibody production.
Study context
- Population
- Subjects with SLE
- Participants
- 40 subjects
- Comparison
- SLE vs healthy controls
- SLEn = 40
- Outcome
- cTFH17 cells: frequency, activation and function in SLE
Methodological detailsflow cytometry, co-culture assays
- Flow cytometry
- Co-culture assays
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Circulating TFH17 (cTFH17) and cTFH17.1 frequencies significantly elevated in SLE vs healthy controls, particularly in active disease
- Increased activation (ICOS and CD40L expression)
- Activated cTFH17 or cTFH17.1 frequency correlated positively with SLEDAI-2K scores but not with anti-dsDNA levels
- IL-6, IL-8 and IL-17A elevated in SLE; not correlated with cTFH17 frequency nor SLEDAI-2K
- In cTFH17-B cell co-cultures, cTFH17 cells proliferated and were activated; B cells differentiated into antibody-secreting cells secreting anti-DNA autoantibodies
Original publication
Function of follicular helper 17 T cells in driving B cells for anti-DNA autoantibody production in patients with SLE. Lupus Sci Med. Published 17 December 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →